Anchor valve for security

ABSTRACT

An anchor valve for security is disclosed. The anchor valve includes a check valve with a flapper for preventing a contaminant from entering the fluid supply system. Contaminants that are outboard of the anchor valve are unable to pass by and are expelled when the fluid supply valve is opened. The anchor valve may include an access cover for maintenance and inspection of the flapper and the check valve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/945,464, filed 21 Jun. 2007, theentire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anchor valve for security purposes.More specifically, the present invention relates to an anchor checkvalve for securing a fluid system, such as those including firehydrants, from contamination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fire hydrants are usually connected to a municipal (drinking) watersystem for the purpose of extinguishing fires, and dispensing water forother purposes, such as construction or for human consumption and useduring appropriate situations. However, existing fire hydrants aredesigned such that any individual can open a hydrant cap with simpletools and deposit contaminants or other hazardous materials into thehydrant. A contaminant may be a foreign, unnatural, or undesirablesubstance. A contaminant may also include an unnatural or undesirableamount of naturally occurring or desired substances. Replacing thehydrant cap seals the hydrant, and then opening the gate valve, againwith simple tools, allows for water to mix with the contaminants andspread within the water supply.

A conventional fire hydrant is illustrated in FIG. 1. The fire hydrant100 includes a barrel 105, which can include both an upper barrel 110and a lower barrel 120. The fire hydrant 100 can be in communicationwith a hydrant shoe 130, which is preferably in fluid communication witha water supply 150.

The lower barrel 120, which is commonly referred to as a stand pipe, isconnected to the hydrant shoe 130, which is commonly referred to as anelbow, at its lower end 107. The upper end 106 of the lower barrel 120is connected to the upper barrel 110, which is commonly referred to as ahydrant barrel. The upper barrel 110 is preferably above-ground, makingit accessible and easily discoverable for users. To be released from thehydrant, water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe,the barrel, and then outwardly from a nozzle.

The upper barrel 110 includes a nozzle assembly 140, an operatingmechanism 160, and a bonnet 170. The nozzle assembly 140 is adapted toallow water to flow out of the hydrant 100. The nozzle assembly 140includes a nozzle outlet 142, which extends laterally from the upperbarrel 110, and a nozzle cap 146. The nozzle outlet 142 can include anozzle threading 144 and a nozzle opening 148. The nozzle cap 146 isremoveable from the nozzle outlet 142 via the nozzle threading 144,enabling the nozzle cap 146 to be attached and removed from the nozzleoutlet 142, as needed. If water rises through the upper barrel 110 ofthe hydrant 100, the water can escape the hydrant 100 via the nozzleopening 148, if the nozzle cap 146 is removed from the nozzle outlet142.

The operating mechanism 160, which often comprises an operating nut 162,is rotatable, such that a valve assembly 180 can be adjusted to controlwater flow through the hydrant 100 from the water supply source 150. Inmany preferred embodiments, the operating nut 162 has a pentagon shape,which may be the same shape as a nut 147 of the nozzle cap 146. Byhaving the same shape, a single tool can be used for both to remove thenozzle cap 146 from the nozzle outlet 142, and for rotating theoperating nut 162 to control the valve assembly 180. Although, thepentagon-shape is considered “non-standard” and requires a specialwrench, it may also be easily operated with different tools, such as apipe wrench. This shape can also reduce unauthorized access to an innercavity of the hydrant 100.

At the lower end of the lower barrel 120 is the valve assembly 180. Thevalve assembly 180 includes a valve seat 182, a hydrant valve 184, andupper plate 186 and lower plate 188. The valve assembly 180 is adaptedto control the water flow through the hydrant 100, for example, to afire hose connected to the nozzle outlet 142.

An operating stem 190 extends from the valve assembly 180 to theoperating nut 162. The operating nut 162 controls the operating stem 190to open/close the valve assembly 180, as desired or necessary. As theoperating nut 162 is rotated, the hydrant valve 184 of the valveassembly 180 can be opened or closed, depending on the direction of therotation.

As described, the lower end 107 of the lower barrel 120 is incommunication with the valve assembly 180. The lower end 107 of thelower barrel 120 is also in communication with the hydrant shoe 130 viaa flange 132. The hydrant shoe 130 is connected to the water supply 150.

Because of the sheer number of fire hydrants in service, it is not costeffective to replace all existing hydrants with another design. Rather,an anchor valve is needed that can be retrofitted to existing hydrantsand that is also tamper-resistant itself. By locating the anchor valveunderground, adjacent to the hydrant, the ability of an evildoer toquickly and stealthily attempt to introduce contaminants to the watersupply is greatly reduced.

As it is not practical or possible to monitor every one of millions offire hydrants currently in service, an anchor valve is needed thatprevents contamination such as described above, yet is simple inoperation, and once installed does not require maintenance or cause anycomplication when using the hydrant for its proper purposes. If anevildoer does open the hydrant cap after the anchor valve is installed,any contaminants will be contained within the hydrant and flushed out ofthe system once the valve is opened.

Fluid delivery systems also use hydrants or other valves to releasefluids for various applications. For example, fuel is delivered in pipesystems and is accessed for usage at a number of release valves. In thecase of an airport, fuel may be distributed under the runways and gateareas for easy dispensing to waiting aircraft, eliminating the need formobile fuel trucks. It is desirable to prevent any contamination whichmay occur during a fueling operation from spreading into the main fuelsupply system, thus another application of the present invention.

Fluids also need control and contamination prevention in appliances, forexample. In the case of a dish or clothes washer, it is desirable toprevent contaminated or “grey” water from backing up into the watersupply system. In the case of a lawn sprinkler system, preventing waterbacking up into the water supply system is also desirable, as sprinklersystems may come into contact with fertilizers and pesticides which arenot fit for human consumption. These use of the anchor valve of thepresent invention to prevent such contamination is yet another use.

It is most desirable to locate the anchor valve of the present inventionclose to the dispensing point, for example, a hydrant, to minimize thevolume of fluid possibly contaminated. However, the valve of the presentinvention may be located at any point in a fluid system, as required ordetermined by design constraints.

A number of devices are used for joining sections of pipe. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,511 discloses a coupling device with a sealing ring.U.S. Pat. No. discloses a bolt type coupling designed to provideclearance functions, so that gasket compression is achieved before thegripper ring effectively grips the pipe and locks the coupling in placewhen the bolt fasteners are tightened. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,513 disclosesthe use of a plurality of skid pads strategically placed over the teethof the gripping ring to prevent it from prematurely engaging the pipebefore the compression of the accompanying gasket. U.S. Pat. No.6,691,732 discloses a hydrant security device that is installed on topof a fire hydrant to prevent decontamination. However, none of thesedevices functions to join sections of pipe while incorporating an anchorcheck valve, which also protects the supply system from contamination.

The check valve is the heart of the anchor valve. A flapper valve isused in one embodiment which is durable yet uncomplicated, requiring nomaintenance and is unaffected by cold, enabling the anchor valve to beburied underground. Traditionally, mechanical swing-type check valveshave been used, but these check valves are complicated and prone tomechanical failure, which is undesirable especially in the case of afire hydrant, whose principal use is in an emergency situation.

What is needed is an anchor valve that secures a fluid system fromcontamination with a check valve that does not impact operation but alsois tamper-resistant and is easily retro-fitted to existing as well asnew hydrants at time of installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantagesassociated with current strategies and designs and provides new toolsand methods of controlling adhesive migration and, in particular,migration in an assembly.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a check valveis provided for attachment between the supply line adjacent to the fluidsource. A flapper valve is used within the valve housing, also includingstandard mechanical joint ends, such as flanges or screw fittings, forease of connection to fluid supply system. For ease of installation, onejoint end may swivel. This arrangement allows the anchor valve torestrain the fluid delivery system to a gate valve. Restraining the gatevalve to the supply pipe prevents the gate valve; the anchor couplingand fluid delivery system will not be forcibly ejected from the mainline by water pressure.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises an anchor valve forprotecting a fluid supply from a contaminant. The anchor valve includesa section of pipe having an inlet end and exit end, and a backflowprevention assembly. The backflow prevention assembly includes a flapperin communication with a sealing surface. The fluid can flow through thesection of pipe from the inlet end to the exit end but is prevented fromflowing through the section of pipe from the exit end to the inlet end.Additionally, the anchor valve is adapted to be coupled to piping withina fluid delivery system.

The flapper is may be constructed of water-impervious materials, rubber,synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. The flapper may also bereinforced with a strengthening member. The anchor valve may furtherinclude an access cover, which may be secured to the section of pipe byat least one fastener.

The fluid delivery system may be a fire hydrant, where the anchor valvemay be coupled to the hydrant shoe. The fluid delivery system mayfurther be a sprinkler system or a fuel distribution system orcombinations thereof.

The anchor valve may have at least one end that swivels. Furthermore,the flapper may pivot away from the sealing surface as the fluid flowsthrough the section of pipe from the inlet end to the exit end. Theanchor valve may be coupled to piping within another fluid deliverysystem.

Another embodiment comprises a method of installing an anchor valve onan existing fluid delivery system. The method includes the steps ofremoving a section of pipe from the existing fluid delivery system,replacing the section of pipe with the anchor valve of the presentinvention, and securing the anchor valve of claim one to the remainingpiping.

Another embodiment comprises a method of preventing a contaminant fromentering a fluid source. The method includes the steps of drawing adesired amount of fluid from the fluid source through a series of pipes,including an anchor valve, maintaining a portion of the fluid on theexit side of the anchor valve after the desired amount of fluid iswithdrawn from the fluid source, preventing the remaining portion offluid from reentering the fluid source via the anchor valve, therebypreventing a contaminant from entering the fluid source, and expellingthe remaining portion of fluid and contaminant from the series of pipesupon the next withdrawal of fluid from the fluid source.

The series of pipes may be part of a sprinkler system, a fire hydrant,fuel distribution system, or combinations thereof. The fluid may bemaintained on the exit side of the anchor valve by a check valve thatincludes a flapper and a sealing surface.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention are set forth in partin the description, which follows, and in part, may be obvious from thisdescription, or may be learned from the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a traditional fire hydrant.

FIG. 2 is a projection view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a flapper of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a close up view of portion “C” of the flapper of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosures herein providedetailed embodiments of the invention. However, the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodiedin various and alternative forms. Therefore, there is no intent thatspecific structural and functional details should be limiting, butrather the intention is that they provide a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

A problem in the art capable of being solved by the embodiments of thepresent invention is preventing contamination of fluid supplies. It wassurprisingly discovered that a check valve that is incorporated into thepiping of a fluid supply is capable of preventing contaminants fromentering the fluid supply. By preventing the back flow of fluid into thefluid supply, a check valve is able to keep the fluid supply free ofcontamination.

FIG. 2 illustrates anchor valve 1. Check valve 2 is shown situated aboutthe middle of the section of pipe 5, with inlet end 3 and exit end 4located at opposite ends of pipe 5. Pipe 5 can be of any length. Incertain embodiments, inlet end 3 may be adapted to be coupled to ahydrant shoe in other embodiments, exit end 4 may be adapted to becoupled to a hydrant shoe. Inlet end 3 and exit end 4 may be secured toa hydrant shoe or any other piping by any means known in the art,including but not limited to bolts via flanges, screw fittings, clips,welding, and adhesive. Within check valve 2 is flapper 6 which isfixedly attached to the interior of check valve 2 and operates byforcibly closing when fluid pressure reaches a minimum threshold amount,thereby preventing a contaminant from being introduced into the fluidsupply system. FIG. 3 shows also the anchor check valve may include afirst mechanical joint arranged at the inlet end of the anchor checkvalve and a second mechanical joint arranged at the exit end of theanchor check valve. Also, the first mechanical joint may include atleast a first non-threaded male portion extending within an innerportion of a pipe of a fluid supply, a first shoulder portion having anoutermost diameter greater than an outermost diameter of the firstnon-threaded male portion, and a first flange portion. The firstshoulder portion may be disposed between the first flange portion andthe first non-threaded male portion. The second mechanical joint mayinclude at least a second non-threaded male portion extending within aninner portion of the hydrant shoe, a second shoulder portion having anoutermost diameter greater than an outermost diameter of the secondnon-threaded male portion, and a second flange portion, the shoulderportion being disposed between the second flange portion and the secondnon-threaded male portion. The second flange portion of the secondmechanical joint may be rotatable around a portion of the exit end andmay be configured to prevent the second flange portion from beingremoved from the exit end.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of anchor valve 1. Anchorvalve 1 is defined by a hollow cavity within pipe 5, which enables mediato flow from a fluid source to an exit of the system. Check valve 2 islocated along pipe 5 within the hollow cavity. At one end of pipe 5 isinlet end 3, at the opposite end of pipe 5 is exit end 4. Anchor valve 1may include an access cover 7 enabling access into the cavity of anchorvalve 1. Cover 7 may be secured to pipe 5 with a plurality of fasteners8, but is easily removable for inspection or maintenance. While cover 7is shown secured to pipe 5 by 6 fasteners, any number of fasteners maybe used. Flapper 6 is fixedly attached to pipe 5 at securing point 10and sealably engages pipe 5 at sealing surfaces 9, as shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3, but is understood to include the entireinner circumference of pipe 5 at check valve 2. Flapper 6 may bereinforced by, preferably, a metal disc 406, encapsulated in acasing/covering 408, preferably made of rubber, to withstand a highdifferential pressure across flapper 6. Flapper 6 may be designed insuch a way that in absence of pressure on either side of flapper 6,flapper 6 lies on sealing surfaces 9.

Water or other fluid, as supplied by the fluid supply system which isconnected to anchor valve 1, flows through inlet end 3 when the fluid isdrawn through. Flapper 6 pivots open due to the force of the waterovercoming the resistive force of flapper 6. Water flows through anchorvalve unhindered and exits at exit end 4. As water pressure decreases,flapper 6 closes as the force of the water being drawn through anchorvalve 1 decreases to below the level necessary to overcome flapper 6'sclosure force. Some water is trapped within the piping, between the exitpoint and the flapper 6, which forces flapper 6 to stay in the closedposition, pressed against sealing surfaces 9. If a contaminant is addedat this point, the remaining trapped water will be affected, but thecontaminant will be unable to enter the supply system. When the hydrantor fluid valve is next activated, the pressure of supply water willagain overcome the resistive force of flapper 6 and push the remainingexisting water (with the contaminant) out of the system through theexit, but no back-flow of contaminated water will occur, thus preservingthe integrity of the water supply.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a flapper 404 (e.g., theflapper 6). Flapper 404 can include a positioning lip 412, locking lips426, a sealing surface 414, disc reinforcement 422, and thecasing/covering 408 encapsulating the metal disc 406.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up of a disc short arm 424 of flapper 404along with the locking lips 426 and positioning lip 412 for securing thedisc short arm 424 of the flapper 404 in place. FIG. 5 also illustratesthe disc reinforcement 422 for reinforcing flapper 404.

Although several embodiments are specifically illustrated herein, itwill be appreciated that modifications and variations of the presentinvention are covered by the above teachings and are within the purviewof the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intendedscope of the invention. While the embodiment herein are directed towardfire hydrants the invention can be used in any type of fluid deliversystem, including but not limited to sprinkler systems and fueldistribution systems. Other embodiments and uses of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Allreferences cited herein, including all publications, U.S. and foreignpatents and patent applications, are specifically and entirelyincorporated by reference. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit ofthe invention indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, the term“comprising” includes the terms “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for protecting a fluid supply from acontaminant, the system comprising: an anchor check valve having aninlet end and an exit end, the anchor check valve including a flapper incommunication with a sealing surface, wherein fluid can flow through theanchor check valve from the inlet end to the exit end but is preventedfrom flowing through the anchor check valve from the exit end to theinlet end; a dry-barrel fire hydrant in proximate fluid communicationwith the anchor check valve, the dry-barrel fire hydrant having a valveoperating mechanism; and a hydrant shoe coupled to the anchor checkvalve, the hydrant shoe having a valve assembly adjustably connected tothe valve operating mechanism of the dry-barrel fire hydrant; whereinthe anchor check valve includes a first mechanical joint arranged at theinlet end of the anchor check valve and a second mechanical jointarranged at the exit end of the anchor check valve; wherein the firstmechanical joint includes at least a first non-threaded male portionextending within an inner portion of a pipe of a fluid supply, a firstshoulder portion having an outermost diameter greater than an outermostdiameter of the first non-threaded male portion, and a first flangeportion, the first shoulder portion being disposed between the firstflange portion and the first non-threaded male portion; and wherein thesecond mechanical joint includes at least a second non-threaded maleportion extending within an inner portion of the hydrant shoe, a secondshoulder portion having an outermost diameter greater than an outermostdiameter of the second non-threaded male portion, and a second flangeportion, the shoulder portion being disposed between the second flangeportion and the second non-threaded male portion.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the flapper is constructed of water-impervious materials. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the flapper is constructed of rubber. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the flapper is constructed of syntheticmaterials.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the flapper is reinforcedwith a strengthening member.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theanchor check valve includes an access cover.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the access cover is secured to the anchor check valve by atleast one fastener.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flapper pivotsaway from the sealing surface as the fluid flows through the section ofpipe from the inlet end to the exit end.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the valve operating mechanism is rotatable.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the valve assembly of the hydrant shoe includes a valveseat, a hydrant valve, an upper plate, and a lower plate.
 11. The systemof claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is connected to the valveoperating mechanism by an operating stem.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the second flange portion of the second mechanical joint isrotatable around a portion of the exit end.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the second shoulder portion of the second mechanical joint isconfigured to prevent the second flange portion from being removed fromthe exit end.
 14. A method of installing an anchor check valve on adry-barrel fire hydrant, comprising the steps of: removing a section ofpipe connected between a fluid supply and a hydrant shoe of a dry-barrelfire hydrant, the hydrant shoe having a valve assembly; replacing thesection of pipe with an anchor check valve, the anchor check valveincluding an inlet end, an exit end, and a flapper in communication witha sealing surface, the anchor check valve including a first mechanicaljoint arranged at the inlet end and a second mechanical joint arrangedat the exit end; and securing the anchor check valve to a remainingpiping; wherein the first mechanical joint includes at least a firstnon-threaded male portion extending within an inner portion of aremaining section of piping of the fluid supply, a first shoulderportion having an outermost diameter greater than an outermost diameterof the first non-threaded male portion, and a first flange portion, thefirst shoulder portion being disposed between the first flange portionand the first non-threaded male portion; and wherein the secondmechanical joint includes at least a second non-threaded male portionextending within an inner portion of the hydrant shoe, a second shoulderportion having an outermost diameter greater than an outermost diameterof the second non-threaded male portion, and a second flange portion,the second shoulder portion being disposed between the second flangeportion and the second non-threaded male portion.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of closing a gate valve coupled tothe remaining section of piping.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein thesecond flange portion of the second mechanical joint is rotatable arounda portion of the exit end.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thesecond flange portion of the second mechanical joint is configured toprevent the second flange portion from being removed from the exit end.18. A method of preventing a contaminant from entering a fluid sourcevia a dry-barrel fire hydrant, comprising the steps of: drawing adesired amount of fluid from the fluid source through a dry-barrel firehydrant system including a hydrant shoe and an anchor check valve havingan inlet end, an exit end, and a flapper in communication with a sealingsurface, the anchor check valve coupled to the hydrant shoe andincluding a first mechanical joint arranged at the inlet end and asecond mechanical joint arranged at the exit end, the first mechanicaljoint having at least a first non-threaded male portion extending withinan inner portion of the fluid source, a first shoulder portion having anoutermost diameter greater than an outermost diameter of the firstnon-threaded male portion, and a first flange portion, the firstshoulder portion being disposed between the first flange portion and thefirst non-threaded male portion, the second mechanical joint having atleast a second non-threaded male portion extending within an innerportion of the hydrant shoe, a second shoulder portion having anoutermost diameter greater than an outermost diameter of the secondnon-threaded male portion, and a second flange portion, the secondshoulder portion being disposed between the second flange portion andthe second non-threaded male portion, and the hydrant shoe having avalve assembly; maintaining a remaining portion of the fluid on an exitside of the anchor check valve after the desired amount of fluid iswithdrawn from the fluid source; preventing the remaining portion offluid from reentering the fluid source via the anchor check valve,thereby preventing a contaminant from entering the fluid source; andexpelling the remaining portion of fluid and contaminant from the firehydrant system upon a further withdrawal of fluid from the fluid source.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fluid is maintained on the exitside of the anchor check valve by the flapper and the sealing surface.20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of opening ahydrant valve in the valve assembly of the hydrant shoe.
 21. The methodof claim 18, wherein the second flange portion of the second mechanicaljoint is rotatable around a portion of the exit end.
 22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the second flange portion of the second mechanicaljoint is configured to prevent the second flange portion from beingremoved from the exit end.